The Resident gears up for its season one finale as Nic faces Dr. Hunter’s wrath

As we head into next week’s season one finale of The Resident, we must celebrate that we have a season two to look forward to! And just in the nick of time. Things are getting a bit crazy at Chastain Park and with Nic (Emily VanCamp) as she grapples with unemployment and being Dr. Hunter’s (Melina Kanakaredes) target. In this penultimate episode a lot went down as Nic’s sister is rushed to the hospital due to an overdose and Conrad (Matt Czuchry) and Devon (Manish Dayal) deal with an interesting patient, Claudia, that has spent her life helping ex-cons. Her “family” comes together in support of her and it makes for some incredibly heartwarming moments in this episode, reminding viewers that good people do exist. Even the local police department came together in support of her being in the hospital because of the difference she made with ex-cons.

Devon is the real MVP of this episode who not only diagnoses Claudia but works relentlessly to track down the person that possesses the medication to help her out, who is also working against the system to help people. Unfortunately, the cost of the medicine is about $48,000 but the group of ex-cons comes together to gather the amount to help save Claudia’s life. One of them even helps Nic scare her stalker away!

Along with Claudia, Nic’s sister, Jesse, becomes a patient at Chastain Park Memorial this week after Nic finds her lying in her kitchen following an overdose. She relapses and Conrad comes to the rescue to help Nic deal with her–since she already has so much on her plate. While we aren’t sure where Conrad and Nic’s relationship is heading, this episode brings them closer as they deal with Jesse and the mystery man following Nic around.

The entire episode leaves us in shock when we find out Nic is set up by Allie under the false pretenses of luring Nic to Dr. Hunter’s clinic. When Nic arrives, she finds the clinic in shambles just as the cops arrive on the scene. It appears she has been framed for breaking and entering, and we can only assume Dr. Hunter is behind this. What will it mean for Nic? And will she find a way out?

We have SO many questions after the penultimate episode and are worried about Nic’s future so let’s dive right into the discussion with our The Resident roundtable!

Carlynn (@UpsteadRheese25)– I watch too much TV, and sometimes I live-tweet

1. The season one finale is next week and the series has snagged a season two renewal! How are you feeling about the season ending and what the future has in store for the series?

Carlynn (@UpsteadRheese25): I’m sad it is ending. It felt like it just started but I’m thankful we are getting a season 2 to look forward to. I’m excited about the future of the Resident.

Amanda (@dudeamanda): I was so excited when it was announced that The Resident is getting a second season! I think Season 1 is going to end on a huge cliffhanger with Bell & Lane trying to hide what Lane is doing. I cannot wait to see what happens and all I really want is for Nic to get her job back!

Jess (@mattczuchryff): Now that the show is renewed (FINALLY!!) I am feeling a lot better about the season finale already airing next week. I am expecting a cliffhanger, so it’s really a relief to know that it won’t be a series finale.

Meli (@Melikeit70): So happy it was renewed! I’m wondering what they’ll come up with once the Lane storyline will be concluded and if we’ll have another season story arc, maybe something involving Conrad’s father and his projects to open a hospital. Personally I’d like to know more about Conrad’s past and finally find out why he and Nic broke up and why she thinks they can’t be together.

Stephanie (@StephyPooh82): I’m kinda bummed that we’re already at the end of the season, but I’m excited that it got picked up for a second season! I think next week’s episode will end with a cliffhanger. They will definitely leave us wanting more!

2. Dr. Austin is extremely outspoken in front of his patients–perhaps too much. What are your thoughts on him in this week’s episode?

Carlynn: I didn’t like him in this week’s episode.

Amanda: I love Dr. Austin a lot. I think he’s honest, and we all need some honesty in our lives, especially at the hospital. I think he was a little mean to Mina, but I also think she needed to hear it. I cannot wait to see how he continues to develop.

Jess: Dr. Austin still scares me a bit and makes Mina look like an angel. And that is saying a lot.

Meli: Maybe a little too over-the-top? But I like him!

Stephanie: Dr. Austin makes Dr Okafor look like Patch Adams! He is an excellent surgeon, but his bedside manner is lacking. I like him though, and I think he won’t be afraid to speak his mind when it comes to Dr. Bell.

3. Nic’s sister alluded to Nic screwing up in the past while talking to Conrad. What are your predictions on what she could be referring to?

Amanda: I think after Nic’s mom died, she went through a tough time. Maybe it wasn’t as serious as drugs, but I could see her rebelling. I hope we find out what it is next week!

Jess: I am really curious and at the same time have no idea what she could have been talking about. Maybe a teen pregnancy? Her own wild teenage years with alcohol and drugs? Although I really have a hard time imagining that. I really hope we get to know more in season 2.

Meli: I have no idea! But I hope we’ll find out it next season and that will explain, maybe, why she is so unwilling to come back with Conrad because I honestly don’t know what she expects from him. He has been a supportive partner all this time!

Stephanie: Drugs maybe? I’m not sure and I don’t really see where her past should matter. She obviously turned her life around and got her nursing degree. The only way I see her past coming back to hurt her is if Dr. Hunter can use it against her.

4. This week had an interesting storyline between Claudia, her diagnosis, and the ex-cons that she helped over the years. Did you enjoy this aspect of the episode? Why or why not?

Carlynn: I liked this storyline because it was nice to see she had people that care about her.

Amanda: I did. I really liked how Claudia was able to help these cons get back on track, and it was refreshing to see how much they loved her, and how much they were willing to do for her.

Jess: I really liked the storyline because it showed what kind of person Claudia really is and how she influenced so many lives for the better with the work she was doing. It was a heartwarming story, especially because it ended with a happy end. Good work Devon and Conrad!

Meli: I loved what I love about all the patients in that show, that they have their story and that we are able to connect with them. I also enjoyed the brief appearance of Kevin, the former Big Pharma worker who’s also trying to fight the system to help other people.

Stephanie: I did. I loved seeing everyone Claudia had helped come together to help her when she needed them. I’m glad she pulled through.

5. It appears Nic has been set up by Dr. Hunter and is now sitting in a detention center. How do you feel about this and what do you anticipate happening?

Carlynn: I feel sad for Nic and angry at Dr. Hunter. I think Conrad will find a way to get her out on bail then find a way to take down Lane.

Amanda: It was crazy, and I had a feeling it was coming when Nic turned down her help earlier in the episode. I still cannot believe how far Lane is willing to go to protect herself. I think Conrad will get Nic out, and they will work harder than ever to take Lane down.

Jess: I wish Nic had been more cautious instead of walking into the clinic, especially after her so called friend didn’t pick up. It was fishy from the beginning and Allie definitely ratted her out to save her job. I desperately hope Conrad comes up with a way to post bail to get her out of there as soon as possible. This has to end now and they just have to find a way to stop Lane.

Meli: Nic shouldn’t have trusted her “friend” and anybody still working for that woman. But I’m pretty sure she’ll get her revenge.

Stephanie: I hate it!!! I can’t wait for Dr. Hunter to get what’s coming to her! Whatever it is she’s trying to hide, will come out in the open eventually. I had hoped it would happen soon, but I think now we’ll have to wait until next season.

6. This week we met Nic’s sister who overdosed on drugs and came to Nic for help. What did you think of their dynamic?

Carlynn: I don’t think we got to see enough but Nic’s sister seemed to resent her trying to help. Definitely, hope to see Nic and her sister again next season.

Amanda: I think Jesse knows Nic will always be there for her, so she shows up when she needs Nic. I also don’t think Jesse appreciates her sister enough. I’m glad we got a more interesting look at Nic’s past.

Jess: They seemed to have a strong bond and I really liked getting to know someone from Nic’s family even under the circumstances. I hope rehab will help her and that we will see more of Jessie in season 2. So much potential! Especially with the mention of the demons in the past.

Meli: I’d like to know more about it and about Nic in general because we know really little about her and apparently even Conrad doesn’t know everything.

Stephanie: I think Nic loves her sister and wants her to get the help she needs, but her sister isn’t ready to commit to getting clean. There is some underlying tension that I think we’ll learn about as the show goes on.

7. What was your favorite moment from this week’s episode?

Carlynn: When Nic drove Conrad to work.

Amanda: My favorite moment of this episode was when Bell came to “yell” and “threaten” Devon & Conrad after they saved Claudia’s life. I just love how little Conrad cared. I too was laughing at Bell and his threat because it was terrible.

Jess: Conrad and Devon being able to save Claudia, for a moment I actually thought they wouldn’t be able to. Her actually being okay was a nice surprise.

Meli: I’ll go with the frantic cold open, with Conrad running after the car and Devon running after Claudia.

Stephanie: When York’s mother saw his scans and asked him why there was a bottle in him. Then she said, “Its okay. I have chlamydia.” I laughed out loud!!!

Final Verdict: Nic’s future hangs in the balance as she finds herself at the center of Dr. Hunter’s mind games

Next week is the season one finale of The Resident and we have absolutely no idea where the story will end. In the final moments of this week’s episode, Nic realizes she has been played by Allie under false pretenses, and we can only assume Dr. Hunter is behind it. It has become abundantly clear Dr. Hunter has a lot to hide and is willing to go to great lengths to keep her secrets hidden. With Nic locked away, Dr. Hunter may get away with all her indiscretions after all. However, it is safe to assume that Conrad and Devon will come to Nic’s rescue and in the process hopefully take down Dr. Hunter. But how they will accomplish this is yet to be seen.

This week’s episode has really strong moments embedded throughout the hour particularly surrounding Claudia’s story. It is very inspiring that the writers looped in a story that is very motivational and unique. Not to mention, it also alludes to common misperceptions people carry about certain individuals, and really shines a positive light on how we need to look past outward appearances. This aspect of the episode is commendable and something we truly appreciate about the writing and execution of this week’s story.

As we head into the season one finale next week, there is a lot of story to cover and wrap up. What will Nic’s future look like? Will Dr. Hunter be caught once and for all? And where will the story wrap up so as to set the stage for season two? We are so excited that The Resident will return for another season because there is a lot more to explore about the secret world of hospital politics and we are anticipating an explosive season one finale as the group bands together to save Nic and take down Dr. Hunter (and hopefully, Dr. Bell (Bruce Greenwood) too!).

The Resident will return Monday, May 14th at 10/9c on Fox!

Justice for Nic!

Don’t forget to check out our other The Resident roundtables, recaps, and much more on TVAfterDark!

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